servicing diffs/ quiting a PS pump

[toyotapriusguy]

I've always done the maintenance on my close friends cars, they buy the stuff and lunch and I work away. In November, while I was doing a transmission service I asked scotty if he had ever had his diffs in his jeep done and he had no clue so I told him we should put that on the list. He's coming up on 170k mile on a 98 wrangler. He's always done the maintenance that the jiffy lubes he used to go to told him he needed so he's done his best to care for this car and even after all those miles, in the 5k we do his OCI's at it never consumes enough oil to warrant adding any and his transmission still runs beautifully. Worst thing about the car is a whiny PS pump.

Anyway, I was wondering if there would be more harm than good done by taking the covers off the diffs, cleaning the interior, and refilling them with new fluid OR since theres a great chance the fluid in there is 14 years and 170k miles old it would be safer to leave it in?

Also, is there any way to quiet his pump down? In November, I drained as much of the P/S system of nearly a quart of fluid and replaced it with ATF fluid. I used Lucas ATF fix because I wanted all that detergent in there. It's another system that possibly never got serviced and I wanted to clean out any possible build up. It'll get reflushed and filled with a quality P/S fluid when I do the diffs. The Lucas definately quieted it down but it still whines, will actual P/S fluid quiet it down even more, or stick with an ATF?

Thank You in advance for any and all suggestions in advance.

Richard

 

[Steve S]

I would change it.

 

[Warstud]

Never heard of having problems with changing diff. fluid on HM vehicles...only transmissions. Try bleeding the air out of the PS system to get rid of the whine.

 

[Errtt]

I'd do the diff if your (or your friend) is not positive that it was done. If he uses the Jeep to forge streams etc., never know if any water got through the axle seals. I've seen a missing axle tube vent line missing on a truck a friend had.

 

[Taildragger]

No harm changing, wish I had !

 

[Errtt]

^^^ Wow. I bet it seen better days.

When I changed one of mine out (went with Auburn Pro), I wasn't going to let it go for years. Changing it often with synthetic keep it clean and let me know how it was doing.
The pinion crush gasket threw me off because at the time I didn't know my impact wrench was worn and didn't have the will power to get it done. Bought me a Thunder Gun then once I found out the impact I had then wasn't up to par.

 

[spasm3]

wow looks like water got in there, was the axle submerged?

 

[toyotapriusguy]

to my knowledge, Scotty doesn't even forged a puddle, much less a stream but I will ask him. I hope his doesn't look like that, I don't think I have enough brake cleaner for all that static.

After 2 months of driving, wouldn't any bubbles of air worked their way out? I spent easily 20 minutes turning from left stop to right stop and back. Add to that all the driving he's done. Should I re-bleed? Any tips beyond other than what I've done?

 

[unDummy]

Gear oil maintenance is always good to do.

For the steering, use the fluid that is required and don't use any additives. Lucas doesn't have detergents and it simply thickens the fluid. Did it whine before you touched it? if so, get the new correct fluid in there and you might need mityvac or vacuum on the reservoir to pull the bubbles to the top. Try turning the wheel with the vehicle off. Sometimes, those bubbles in the fluid get sucked right back into the pump. So, with vehicle off, crank the wheel all the way over left and then right a couple times. Might want to put the front tires on dirt or wet the pavement to make it easier.

 

[jstutz]

Originally Posted By: Taildragger
No harm changing, wish I had !

Wow, that is the worst one i have seen to date. I saw an ATV one that looked like this before but never a truck. I guess a lot of off road guys that are into muddin probably see the more often i guess.

 

[OVERKILL]

I recommend M1 ATF for the PS system if it calls for ATF. Has worked on many a Ford pump for me, which are known to be noisy.

Definitely do the diff fluid. Nothing wrong in changing that.

 

[toyotapriusguy]

Originally Posted By: unDummy
Gear oil maintenance is always good to do.

For the steering, use the fluid that is required and don't use any additives. Lucas doesn't have detergents and it simply thickens the fluid. Did it whine before you touched it? if so, get the new correct fluid in there and you might need mityvac or vacuum on the reservoir to pull the bubbles to the top. Try turning the wheel with the vehicle off. Sometimes, those bubbles in the fluid get sucked right back into the pump. So, with vehicle off, crank the wheel all the way over left and then right a couple times. Might want to put the front tires on dirt or wet the pavement to make it easier.






It whined a lot more before I drained and replaced it with the lucas. I'm bummed it has no detergents. It quieted down, but it is still making more noise that I'd want.

I'll lift the front end up and with the car off, give it a few good point to point turns.

 

[White 03]

On my Ford, with the motor off, if I don't turn the wheel real slow it will burp some oil out the top. No real problem just a mess.

 

[unDummy]

Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy

It whined a lot more before I drained and replaced it with the lucas. I'm bummed it has no detergents. It quieted down, but it is still making more noise that I'd want.

I'll lift the front end up and with the car off, give it a few good point to point turns.


Not a good sign. If it quieted down with thicker fluid, you might want to consider the thicker PSFs for that vehicle. The pump is probably worn out.

PSF thin-thicker in cst @100c,
Redline 6.4
Valvoline 7.0
Pennzoil 7.1
Amsoil 7.3
Castrol GT 7.5
Lubegard 7-8
RoyalPurple 8.9

I'd use a quart or a couple small bottles of either lubegard or royalpurple PSF to do a 1/2 dozen siphon/refills with a short drive in between.
I couldn't find data on Valvoline Maxlife Power steering fluid. But, "Maxlife" tends to be a little thicker and worth considering too.

 

[toyotapriusguy]

I would probably use the Valvoline. I've always used their synthetic transmission fluid and liked it so going with their P/S fluid would be just as easy for me.

I was just going to take the line off the resv. for the P/S and feed the PSF in while I let the lucas drain out the other end. I don't want to devote an entire day off driving his car around to syphon fluid out and add new stuff to be honest.

 

[OVERKILL]

The easiest way to do the PSF (IIRC, this is the way it was recommended to me by Audi Junkie) is to:

1. Remove the return line on the reservoir and drain
2. Cap off the return hole in the bottom of the reservoir
3. Refill with the intended ATF or PSF
4. Place the return line in a decently large container, or extend it so you can. Be creative here if necessary.
5. Have an open litre or two handy.
6. Have somebody start the vehicle and work the wheels lock to lock while you keep the level in the reservoir at a decent level using the top up bottle(s). Approximately two litres should get the entire system purged.
7. Shut off vehicle. Replace return line. Fill reservoir to the proper level.
8. Start vehicle again, work lock-to-lock a couple times to get any air out.
9. Check level again.